The Bible is full of commands to love. In Matthew 22, Jesus, when questioned about the greatest commandment, replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as … Continue reading When God Calls Us to Hate
faith
Sinful Top 100
Every so often, when I'm reading my Bible, a line will stop me in my tracks...and not in a good way. I love the Psalms and spend a lot of time in them; I find them refreshing and challenging at the same time, a helpful tool especially when I can't find the words to pray. … Continue reading Sinful Top 100
The Risks of Prayer
Recently, over coffee with a friend, I learned of another friend who had suffered a heartbreaking personal tragedy. Not only was she suffering physically, but emotionally and spiritually, her grief was intense. I felt a stab of lament for her and assured my friend that yes, I would pray for our mutual friend. It was … Continue reading The Risks of Prayer
Harry Potter and Green Beans
I work really hard to ensure my kids eat healthy foods. Okay, I try to ensure my kids eat healthy foods. Both of them have inherited their momma's sweet tooth, but the rule is they cannot have dessert until everything on their plate is eaten. Even their vegetables. No, especially their vegetables. The other night, … Continue reading Harry Potter and Green Beans
Waiting for Wizards
"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."This sentence, uttered by Gandalf the Grey in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring, comes as the famous wizard arrives in the Shire for Bilbo Baggins birthday party. Bilbo's nephew Frodo has seemingly been waiting hours … Continue reading Waiting for Wizards
Party Lines and Prayer Time
When I was younger and would complain about not being able to use the phone, my parents would remind me about their youth and "party lines." In a nut shell, their telephone line was connected to several other families' telephone lines. If you wanted to make a call, you often had to wait until one … Continue reading Party Lines and Prayer Time
Cut Carbs, Add Jesus
In 2019, my husband and I made a decision to get healthy.Neither of us were obese or exceptionally sluggish, but we had both opened our eyes to some bad eating habits and a slight tendency towards laziness that had crept into our lives. Faced with the prospect of a family history of certain diseases and … Continue reading Cut Carbs, Add Jesus
A Legacy of Sin
Today we're continuing on with our lesson from Genesis 4, discussing the tragic downfall of Cain.Remember that both Cain and his brother Abel had come offering sacrifices to the Lord, Cain bringing "some fruits of the soil" and Abel "fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock." (Genesis 4: 3-4a)Now "...the Lord looked … Continue reading A Legacy of Sin
Peace, Giants, and Facebook
There are several verses I keep taped up above my desk. "Life Psalms," I like to call them; little reminders of truth staring me in the face, even as I type these words. One of them is about identity: "My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is a mighty rock, my refuge." -Psalm … Continue reading Peace, Giants, and Facebook
When Following Means Un-Following
Sundays are my favorite days. I love the laziness of a Sunday morning: sleeping in, sipping coffee, taking a long walk through the desert hills surrounding my house. Then it's church, that wonderful time of fellowship, praising Jesus and immersing myself in Truth. Afterwards, feeling alive and refreshed, it's lunch with my family then home … Continue reading When Following Means Un-Following